Reading Festival visitors are encouraged to donate their tent to charity instead of destroying it at the end of the three-day event

Reading Festival visitors are encouraged to donate their tent to charity instead of destroying it at the end of the three-day event.

As festivalgoers descend on Richfield Avenue for the music event this weekend a number of tents are likely to be destroyed or thrown away.

Detective Inspector Simon Bedwell, who will be working on the festival site, said: “Many festivalgoers buy tents specifically for the festival and throw them away or destroy them afterwards. Last year we had a particular problem with a minority burning their tents. This seems a sad waste, particularly at a time when people living in places like Pakistan are struggling for basic shelter.

“Wouldn’t it be far better to put your tent to good use by donating it to charity?

“There will be volunteers from ‘The Green Team’ looking at all opportunities to recycle during the festival. Ask them for advice on how you can donate your tent.”

Police are also reminding revellers to leave valuables and expensive cameras at home.